Occupational health and safety audits and assessments go in tandem and form an important part of maintaining a risk-free workplace. It is recommended that employers should take proactive steps towards a safe place of work rather than presuming everything is okay until disaster strikers. OHS inspections and audits involve assessing your entire workplace or a particular aspect of operation to make out any risks that may be putting your workforce or staff at risk. In most cases, employers are advised to go for professional inspections by certified OHS auditors. This article looks at one of the areas in your workplace that is inspected under OHS audit: fire safety and control checklist

Fire detection and warning systems

Every workplace should have a functional fire detection and warning system. Typical examples include a fire alarm system as well as smoke detection systems. Fire alarm and smoke detection systems serve to increase awareness among the employees of the presence of fire or smoke in a particular area inside the building. As a result, they are able to evacuate the building as fast as possible.

Fire fighting equipment

Any workplace that is not equipped with the relevant fire fighting equipment is considered to pose a threat to the lives of the employees. The types of fire fighting equipment will ultimately depend on your business operations. Nevertheless, all workplaces should at least have fire extinguishers and fire blankets in place to prevent severe loss in the event of fire accidents. All equipments must be routinely serviced and functional. Small fires can be put out by employees rather than waiting for the fire service department, which in effect would have led to severe property loss.

Emergency fire exits and signs

Every workplace should have at least an emergency fire exit with proper signage. This will allow employees to evacuate the building safely, especially in situations where the main entry and exit points are impassable. Proper signage may help overcome visibility issues during evacuation, especially in a smoke-filled room.

Fire safety training

Imagine a scenario where a workplace has all the necessary fire fighting equipment but the employees don't know how to properly use them? This is where fire safety training comes in. This form of training equips workers with the operational skills to use fire sprinkler systems, extinguishers and fire hydrants and extinguishers in the event of a fire accident. Further to that, employees will also be taken through evacuation drills to help them know how to safely leave a premise that has caught fire. The evacuation training drills often mimic fire emergency scenarios that may occur in a given workplace.

The objective of this checklist is to help employers to perform routine assessments on fire safety stipulations in their workplaces and to resolve the irregularities spotted. For more information, contact a business such as Australian Quality Control Services.